The Genealogy Center’s John D. Beatty Elected Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists

The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is proud to announce that John D. Beatty, Senior Genealogy Librarian at the ACPL’s Genealogy Center, has been elected as a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists (ASG). The honor is one of the most prestigious recognitions in the field of genealogy and is conferred only to 50 leaders worldwide who have made significant contributions to genealogical research. Since the society's formation in 1940, 176 genealogists have been elected to receive the honor. 

The 2025 Fellows – including Beatty, Scott Andrew Bartley, and Allen R. Peterson – were announced by the ASG earlier this week. Reflecting on the recognition, Beatty said, “Being elected a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists is the capstone of my career. I have dedicated my career to advancing the field of family history research and this honor is a point of distinction that leaves me humbled and deeply grateful.”  

Having served at the ACPL Genealogy Center since 1984, Beatty is widely known among genealogists and historians for his deep expertise, published works, and dedicated service. As a Senior Genealogy Librarian at the Genealogy Center and principal bibliographer, Beatty has been instrumental in building the Genealogy Center’s robust collections at ACPL, advising patrons, curating genealogical sources, and guiding research across local, regional, and national topics.  

Beatty is also a published author, specializing in local history, German American family lines, early American genealogy, and annotated narratives of Irish history. The most recent of his several book-length genealogies was “The Vick Genealogy: The Study of An American Family in White and Black.” He also served as principal editor for Volume 1 of “History of Fort Wayne and Allen County, Indiana, 1700–2005,” the first major Allen County history published in nearly a century.  

Curt Witcher, Genealogy Center Manager and Director of Special Collections at ACPL and longtime colleague of Beatty, offered his congratulations:

“John’s election to the ASG is well deserved. Over four decades he has advanced our Genealogy Center’s reputation, produced significant research through his publications, and acted as a mentor to future genealogy researchers. This honor acknowledges not just his achievements, but the value he has brought to our Genealogy Center, our library, and the larger genealogical community.” 

For more information about the ACPL Genealogy Center, visit www.genealogycenter.org.